Any reception / class 1 teachers please....

[Lexie1970]

Hi

DS has just come home with his first lot of spellings to learn next week with instructions to practise writing them on paper. However son has remained in his reception class with the majority of his classmates moving to class 2 as he is not quite at level to move up this year.

His reading level is stage 1+ floppy phonics (pink) and he is ok with these.

How on earth do I teach him these spellings when his writing is not great (can hold pen properly so no fine / gross motor skill issues, just much rather be running jumping, concentration of gnat etc - typical boy!!!)

I am at work thurs and Friday so no opportunity to speak to teacher before Monday :(

He was 5 in March.

Thanks for reading!

Hi, I had a similar problem and didn't have chance to speak to teacher.
I wrote the words in highlighter pen for my DD who wrote over them and I attached a post it to the page explaining I knew this as not an ideal teaching tool, but DD distressed at not handing in HW.
Teacher was v understanding!
Good luck.

How are they going to test the spellings?
DS3 has been referred for his fine motor skills, but his knowledge of letters and sounds is good. Instead of being held back by his writing skills, he was allowed to use magnetic letters and board, so he had the same chance as the rest of the group - particularly with the speed. He practiced his writing separately.

We practice DS's spelling in whiteboard pen on the patio door - the idea of writing on a window really appealed to him.

Sounds like there's a far more serious problem here than learning spellings.

He's not learnt to read anything after a year of school, and he won't write anything.

Is he on the SEN register? Are school concerned?

Anyway, to answer your question. Whenever DD is given hw which is too hard for her she doesn't do it.

If this hw is too hard for him, use this as an opportunity to talk to school about your concerns.

By Y1 he should be able to do some writing.

Sorry indigo I should have been clearer. He can do some writing - he writes his name, two letter words and if I wrote something he can copy it. He knows all of hs letter sounds, if we are reading a book he can pick out some tricky words. He is just not at the expected level for his age. He is in a small village school (110 on roll) and along with 5 others has remained in the reception class whilst his peers have become year 1 in class 2 ( hope that makes sense). He does go into class 2 for numeracy but from what I can understand the 6 older ones have extra tuition in phonics and reading to bring them up to speed.

My initial attempt last night was to sit with him and say each word accentuating each letter sound so he could write it.

The words this week are: lot, fact, wind, vet, damp, bust, roast, boost & thank.

We got as far as damp when he just got too uppity!!! Tonight we did his reading book ( with hs dad) and he read it all very well and we will attempt the spelling again tomorrow. I need to find out how he s being tested on the spelling but as said up thread I can't see hs teacher until Monday :(

SEN - no
School concerned - no, because he improved as the year progressed last year, but his progress is slower than they would like.

I did get a bit upset when I found out he wasn't moving with hs classmates (felt totally ridiculous being handed a tissue by HT) and do not want to come across as a neurotic mum to his new teacher and also conscious that she has a sea of new mums whose babies have just started school :)

On the plus side he seems to enjoy numeracy and we are doing lots of number bond work - did you know 8 & 2 make 10 :):):)